TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[James Wakefield]

They continue to put people through the process, but then won’t progress to AC.

Perhaps there’s a very very slim chance they change the mind. But, I’ve spoken to the partners in charge of recruitment at these firms, and they are very clear that they do not re-interview

From their perspective, it does make some sense. They can only invite so many to AC and all of the candidates they are considering at that stage will be strong on paper. One of the distinguishing factors they’ll have is whether someone was rejected after interview before and that’s an easy (but arguably lazy) factor to narrow down the list.

I think firms which take a “never reinterview’ mindset will potentially miss out on good lawyers. Reapplying is a good indication of resilience, which is a characteristic they’re actually looking for!

 

[l789]

Out of curiosity, how many work experiences should we be listing. I did a lot of extra curriculars inside and outside of uni that amounts to around 15 from sixth form up until now. I have a feeling that this is in a way holding me back and getting me the PFOs. Should I be including all of them or limit them to what I mention in my application form plus a couple extra relevant ones.

Is the 15 entires a mix of work experience and extra curriculars or just 15 extracurriculars ?

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

From their perspective, it does make some sense. They can only invite so many to AC and all of the candidates they are considering at that stage will be strong on paper. One of the distinguishing factors they’ll have is whether someone was rejected after interview before and that’s an easy (but arguably lazy) factor to narrow down the list.

I think firms which take a “never reinterview’ mindset will potentially miss out on good lawyers. Reapplying is a good indication of resilience, which is a characteristic they’re actually looking for!

I completely agree. I’ll die on this hill arguing for why firms should reinterview haha

 

[andrecsaa]

You definitely can, especially if the overall size of the team is quite small and therefore it would have not been expected for them to achieve a department ranking. To make your reasoning more convincing, if you mention the ranked partners, I would phrase your motivation as a desire to work with and learn from the best practitioners in that field. Ideally, you could also explain how working in a smaller team with more exposure to seniors would suit you, to explain why you are not preferring firms with bigger teams in that area.

Thanks! That’s the case for two firms.

One has a small team in this practice, and the lawyer ranked in Chambers is actually a senior associate. From what I found on the firm's structure, a litigation partner seems to be overseeing his work. He’s also been on a podcast and shared insights in the FT about a major case.

The other firm has a partner I met at an in-person seminar in London. They offer seats in her practice, which is ranked in Chambers. There are two more senior partners ranked in Chambers (she is only in The Legal 500). I wasn’t too familiar with this national firm’s reputation in this practice, but they represented a client in the "first-ever CPS deferred prosecution agreement" in late 2023. They also have a strong presence in the transactional areas I’m interested in (banking and finance).

 

[Aspiringsolicitor01]

Lewis Silkin rejection post app

Same. Quite disappointed as I had my app reviewed by TCLA and thought it was one of my best 🤷🏻‍♂️

 

[BBsharkk]

Has anyone completed Baker's VI and not heard back? It's been 2 weeks now and they stated they would get back to us within 2 weeks. Should I simply assume a PFO?

 

[sunrise]

Can I mention a deal that was done in a regional office when I'm applying to the London office?
Also, can I talk about a deal that was done 7 months ago? Is that considered recent enough?

 

[Kodak123]

It's a bit of a late update as I found out exactly two weeks ago, but I got an offer for the HSF Spring VS!

Following a string of rejections last year where I had just fallen short at the final stages, I had doubts about whether I was good enough for commercial law. Reflecting on these experiences, I can say for sure that perseverance pays off.

It might seem unfair, but luck definitely plays a part in whether you succeed. Whether it's in the form of a news article you stumbled across, or an area of law you explored in depth at uni, what's important is that you put in the effort to take advantage of the moments where luck is in your favour, and that you keep putting in the effort with the faith and confidence that your time to shine will come.

Although I might not be the most active on this platform, a lot of the materials and discussions here have helped tremendously. Thank you to everyone for fostering such a supportive environment, and good luck to everyone yet to receive their offer!

Needed this! Congrats

 

[Katy12345]

Hi everyone I am looking for some advice ahead of my AC early next week I would appreciate any advice on this please!

I am really happy with my prep and research I’ve done it for a week and feel comfortable with what I have. I have written it all down into notes and for the past day just reading it and going over it in my head to help remember it.

I really want to be productive this weekend but other than highlighting and contributing to re read my notes and practice answering questions what else can I do?! Panicking I’m not doing enough anymore

 

[Chris Brown]

Can I mention a deal that was done in a regional office when I'm applying to the London office?
Also, can I talk about a deal that was done 7 months ago? Is that considered recent enough?

It probably depends on whether the deal that was done in the regional office has a link to the London office. If not, I imagine it would be better to mention a deal that the London office has worked on instead. I think a deal from 7 months ago is fairly recent tbh. Just make sure that you explain why that particular deal stood out and why it interests you. 🙂​

 

[Hghasvision]

anyone doing Skadden from 24th March - 4th April?

 

[Worldstar223]

Cleary PFO post-AC

Sorry to hear. When did u do the AC? Was it for spring or summer?

 

[tiredtree]

HSF vac scheme offer but they’ve only given me 3 days to respond, including this weekend, and I have to notify S&M who I interviewed with to see if they can speed up my outcome - any advice?

 

[Zaraa.x]

Any insights on the Lewis Silkin AC would be highly appreciated please 😭 can I also be pointed in the right direction for resources I can use to prep for written exercises please (btw I don’t have access to TCLA premium). Thank you ✨

 

[Tintin06]

Holding myself accountable (V&E, W&C rejections)

CC* ✅📝❌
HSF ✅📝❌
NRF ✅📝❌
Weil ✅❌
Akin ✅❌
Sidley ✅❌
Orrick ✅
Willkie ✅🎥❌
Cooley ✅❌
Latham ✅❌
Milbank ✅
Kirkland ✅❌
Dechert ✅❌
Skadden ✅❌
Goodwin ✅❌
Covington ✅❌
Linklaters* ✅📝❌
Paul, Weiss ✅
Slaughters* ✅❌
Freshfields* ✅📝❌
Fried Frank* ✅
Gibson Dunn ✅
Macfarlanes* ✅📝
White & Case ✅❌
Morgan Lewis ✅📞
Paul Hastings* ✅
Hogan Lovells* ✅📝
Cleary Gottlieb ✅❌
A&O Shearman ✅📝❌
Vinson & Elkins ✅❌
Arnold & Porter ✅
Baker McKenzie ✅📝❌
King & Spalding* ✅
Winston & Strawn ✅
Morrison Foerster ✅
Sullivan & Cromwell ✅❌

Key: ✅ = application submitted; 📝 = test received; 📞 = telephone interview; 🎥 = video interview; ❌ = rejection.

*Training Contract applications

TC apps left to do: Stephenson Harwood; Sullivan & Cromwell, possibly White & Case.

 

[ysr567]

Is the 15 entires a mix of work experience and extra curriculars or just 15 extracurriculars ?

It's a mix of both!

 

[Boating]

Holding myself accountable (V&E, W&C rejections)

CC* ✅📝❌
HSF ✅📝❌
NRF ✅📝❌
Weil ✅❌
Akin ✅❌
Sidley ✅❌
Orrick ✅
Willkie ✅🎥❌
Cooley ✅❌
Latham ✅❌
Milbank ✅
Kirkland ✅❌
Dechert ✅❌
Skadden ✅❌
Goodwin ✅❌
Covington ✅❌
Linklaters* ✅📝❌
Paul, Weiss ✅
Slaughters* ✅❌
Freshfields* ✅📝❌
Fried Frank* ✅
Gibson Dunn ✅
Macfarlanes* ✅📝
White & Case ✅❌
Morgan Lewis ✅📞
Paul Hastings* ✅
Hogan Lovells* ✅📝
Cleary Gottlieb ✅❌
A&O Shearman ✅📝❌
Vinson & Elkins ✅❌
Arnold & Porter ✅
Baker McKenzie ✅📝❌
King & Spalding* ✅
Winston & Strawn ✅
Morrison Foerster ✅
Sullivan & Cromwell ✅❌

Key: ✅ = application submitted; 📝 = test received; 📞 = telephone interview; 🎥 = video interview; ❌ = rejection.

*Training Contract applications

TC apps left to do: Stephenson Harwood; Sullivan & Cromwell, possibly White & Case.

White & Case told me you can only make one app per cycle?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

HSF vac scheme offer but they’ve only given me 3 days to respond, including this weekend, and I have to notify S&M who I interviewed with to see if they can speed up my outcome - any advice?

One of two approach - chase Slaughters for a decision on Monday or accept HSF with the view that you could renege on them at a later date if you were offered Slaughters and decided to go with them over HSF.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

It's a mix of both!

I wouldn't put your extracurriculars in your work experience and just put your work experience in only if you have that many entries.

 

[aphelion]

I haven't yet. Same timing as you. I expect it might come later today as they tend to send these emails out later in the afternoon.

Lol okay I was wrong no AC slot confirmation from Taylor Wessing it seems 😂